Avon stood inside his grandfather's workshop, staring at the holographic interface of the system shop. After his recent encounters, he knew he needed an edge.
Luckily, he had just enough SP to consider a few key upgrades. The shop interface was overwhelming—rows upon rows of skills, equipment, and enhancements scrolled endlessly before him.
Each option seemed to pulse with potential, and Avon's mind raced with possibilities. He had already bought a few essential skills when the system first became available, but he hadn't yet explored their full potential.
"System," Avon said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, "could you give me a summary of the skills I currently have?"
[Current Skills: Analysis, Tech Radar, Bio Radar]
[Skill: Analysis]
Effect: Allows the user to analyze objects and identify their properties, functions, and potential value.
[Skill: Tech Radar]
Effect: A passive skill that allows the detection of nearby technology, its power level, and potential utility. Effective within a 100-meter radius.
[Skill: Bio Radar]
Effect: A passive skill that detects living beings within a 100-meter radius and provides information on their threat level.
Avon nodded as he reviewed the descriptions. "Not bad at all. These skills should definitely help me figure out what's worth keeping and what's best left behind," he muttered. The slums were a maze of old tech, debris, and occasional hostile encounters. Navigating through them was no easy feat, but with these tools, he felt better prepared. The knowledge that he could now discern the value of tech and detect threats in his vicinity gave him a sense of reassurance.
He decided it was time to put his new skills to the test. Stepping outside the workshop, Avon activated his Tech Radar, watching as a digital map unfolded before him. The once chaotic and confusing landscape of the slums now appeared in a more organized, albeit cluttered, grid. A myriad of blue dots flickered on his screen, each representing nearby technology. His eyes locked onto one that pulsed with a brighter blue hue—indicating a stronger energy reading. "Let's see what you've got," he said with a smirk, navigating his way through the narrow, winding alleyways with newfound confidence.
The crowd was dense, and the air was thick with the smell of rust and grime. As he moved, the Bio Radar skill revealed clusters of low-threat entities—people, stray animals, and the occasional scavenger. "Nothing to worry about," he muttered, reassured by the low threat levels. He followed the tech signal, which led him to a small, battered drone half-buried under some rubble. He knelt beside it, activating the Analysis skill.
[Object: Scout Drone Model S-34
Condition: 35% functionality
Potential Uses: Scrap, Data Retrieval, Remote Surveillance
Energy Level: Low]
Avon grinned, impressed by the drone's remaining potential. "Still got some juice left in you, huh?" he remarked, more to himself than to the drone. Using his enhanced strength from his augmented arm, he carefully extracted the drone from the rubble. The process was surprisingly smooth; his arm's new upgrade made it feel almost effortless. He decomposed the drone for scrap, the familiar chime confirming his earned SP. Each successful deconstruction brought a satisfying sense of achievement.
Over the next hour, Avon continued scavenging through the slums, breaking down old tech for SP. His radar skills proved invaluable, allowing him to locate, analyze, and harvest resources efficiently without wasting time or risking unnecessary encounters. The more he used the Tech Radar and Bio Radar, the better he became at reading the environment. He began to understand the slums' rhythm—the ebb and flow of the crowd, the hidden caches of valuable tech, and the areas best avoided.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, Avon decided to take a break. He had accumulated another 2,000 SP. It wasn't a huge amount, but it was enough to make a meaningful purchase. Scanning through the shop once more, his eyes landed on an upgrade that caught his interest—the Grappling Hook.
[Available for Purchase: Grappling Hook]
Cost: 2,500 SP
Effect: A retractable grappling hook capable of reaching up to 50 meters. It can be used for climbing, rapid movement, or capturing enemies.
Avon's imagination raced as he envisioned himself soaring through the air, evading enemies, or reaching high vantage points quickly. "This could really give me an edge," he thought, his fingers hovering over the buy button. With a determined nod, he made the purchase.
[Ding!]
[Purchased: Grappling Hook]
A familiar tingle coursed through him as the system integrated the new upgrade into his augmented arm. The grappling hook device attached neatly to his wrist, hidden but ready to deploy at a moment's notice. Avon glanced around the crowded alleyway, considering testing it out immediately. However, the streets were bustling with people—too many prying eyes for his liking. The slums were a place of opportunity but also danger, and showing off his new gear might attract unwanted attention.
"Better to test this somewhere quieter," Avon decided, his instincts taking over. "I don't need anyone getting ideas about what I've got up my sleeve." He turned back toward the workshop, carefully weaving through the crowd.
The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows over the narrow streets. The ambient light made the filth and decay of the slums even more apparent. Avon used the remaining time to continue scavenging and decomposing smaller tech items. He became more adept at using his radar abilities, pinpointing valuable tech with increasing precision. By the time night fell, he had gained another 2,500 SP from his efforts, bringing his total back up to 5,000 SP—enough for one more strategic purchase.
Back in the workshop, Avon reviewed his options and decided on the Repair skill. "If I keep breaking things down, I should know how to fix them too," he reasoned. His previous experiences had made it clear that being able to repair tech would be invaluable.
[Purchased Skill: Repair]
Cost: 2,000 SP
Effect: Allows the user to repair damaged items and components. Higher levels increase the speed and efficiency of repairs.
A rush of knowledge filled his mind, giving him an innate understanding of how various tech worked and how to restore them to working condition. Avon felt a surge of confidence and satisfaction as he absorbed the information. Satisfied, he sat down to rest, his mind buzzing with possibilities. His new skills and gear were all starting to come together, and he felt more prepared for whatever challenges lay ahead.
As he rested, his Tech Radar pinged with a new, stronger signal—a big blue dot appeared on his map, buried deep under a heap of bricks and debris. His heart quickened at the sight. "This signal… it's much stronger than the others," he thought, curiosity and excitement mingling in his chest.
The next morning, he moved toward the signal with purpose, navigating through the quieter parts of the slums to avoid unwanted attention. The radar led him to a mound of rubble. Avon began digging, his augmented arm making the task almost effortless until he struck something solid. His pulse quickened as he unearthed a large, heavy safe.
"What is this? Grandpa never mentioned a safe of this size in his workshop," Avon muttered, trying to pry it open with his augmented strength. It wouldn't budge, despite his efforts.
"System," he asked, "is there any way for me to open this safe right now?"
[It is possible to open the safe with the Skill: Hacking.]
A price tag for Hacking appeared—5,000 SP. Avon frowned. He knew he had no other option if he wanted to get inside. With a resigned sigh, he made the purchase.
[Ding!]
[Skill Purchased: Hacking]
With his new skill in hand, Avon felt a renewed sense of determination. The next step in his quest was unfolding before him, and he was ready to tackle it head-on.